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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Connecticut State Quarter

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Expert: - 11/11/2009


Question
I have a Connecticut State Quarter that is half copper and half silver on the back of the coin.  Both halves are stamped like a normal coin.  Is it worth anything?  Please let me know.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Rick:

You may have a valuable error coin! These are very collectible on the state quarter series, and worth more than on a regular issue coin. The first thing to do is to compare your piece with another quarter. Is it the same thickness? Weigh the two coins. Your error should be thinner and weigh less than the other coin.

If this is the case, then there is a strong probability that your coin is an error with the clad shell missing on part of the coin. The planchets are made with a copper core bonded to the outer copper-nickel clad outer layers. Sometimes the molecular bond fails (poor surface, improperly cleaned) and part of the planchet comes off.

Your piece would likely have an added value of $150 to $300 over the "normal" coin, with the higher value going along with the higher grade coin.

You may want to check eBay listings in the error category under US coins from time to time to see if coins like yours are listed and what they are going for. You may also want to check out this link on error coin values: http://www.coinsite.com/html/USErrorPrices.asp

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.  

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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